MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on The increasing and systemic repression against women in Iran

B10‑0207/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on The increasing and systemic repression against women in Iran

(2024/2951(RSP))

The European Parliament,

—  having regard to its previous resolutions on Iran,

— having regard to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women of 1979,

— having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. Whereas women in Iran face intensified human rights violations, particularly under the renewed enforcement of compulsory veiling laws, following the implementation of the "Noor Plan" in April 2024; whereas Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian promised to end morality police patrols but recent hijab and chastity bills imposing penalties on women who violate hijab rules contradict these promises; whereas security forces have escalated their efforts to monitor and penalize women for defying the dress code, using aggressive tactics such as physical assault, arrests, and electric shock devices; whereas this represents a systemic discrimination pattern labelled as a "War on Women" by Iranian activists, restricting women's access to their innate fundamental rights;

B. Whereas the human rights situation in Iran is worsening with the murders of Mahsa Amini, Armita Garawand, and other women, and mass executions by the government with  reports indicating at least 811 executions, including political prisoners, over the past year; and over 400 women are killed in ‘honour killings’; whereas dual nationals, including EU citizens, face targeted arrests on vague charges; whereas women, children, and ethnic and religious minorities, such as Christians, Kurds, and Baluch, face systemic oppression, including poverty, forced labor, child marriage, and lack of education;

C. Whereas women’s repressive treatment, which exacerbates radicalization may lead to further domestic upheaval; whereas women play supporting roles in terrorist groups like Hezbollah through cultural, educational, and propaganda activities and the EU must counter these narratives with culturally sensitive campaigns that challenge radical ideologies and promote empowering roles for women;

1. Applauds the resilience of Iranian women and stands with them in their fight for justice, as they risk their lives to resist the government’s mandatory hijab policies defying the state’s attempts to suppress their autonomy; calls for an immediate end to discriminatory laws and clothing requirements for women in Iran, including the mandatory hijab.

2. Commends the EU’s recent expanded sanctions on Iran for its military support to Russia urging the VP/HR and Council to further extend sanctions, including under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, to all responsible for human rights violations in Iran.

3. Calls on the Council to impose further sanctions on the IRGC and Iranian officials responsible for human rights violations, noting the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court’s ruling on the 2022 Bochum synagogue attack now provides legal grounds under EU law to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

4. Reaffirms support for the Iranian people's aspiration for a free and democratic country, and condemns the use of executions and the death penalty as tools of intimidation and terror.

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Commission and the Council.